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THE COMPLETE HISTORY
Arlington, Texas has benefited from a number
of factors: prime location, temperate climate, and a "can-do"
attitude shared by the generations of people who pioneered and
settled the area.
From its earliest days to the present,
Arlington has also benefited from forward thinking and dynamic
leadership. The Hall of Mayors gives you a glimpse of
some of the mayors who stepped forth to take their place in
Arlington’s history.
The mayors who first served this western town,
situated between Fort Worth and Dallas, were:
C.D."Dutch" King 1876 1881
*M.J. Brinson 1881 1884
George W. Finger 4/15/1884 3/10/1885
*E.E. Rankin 3/10/1885 4/10/1885
Robert George 4/10/1885 3/9/1886
George W. Finger 3/9/1886 12/10/1889
In the 1890s, 415 people were added to the population,
bringing the total to 1,079. Mineral water was discovered at
Center and Main, and the community was well established.
Cotton and grain became major exports and established a base
for community growth.
- *M.J. Brinson 12/10/1889 7/14/1891
- Willis Timmerman 7/14/1891 5/10/1892
- Nicholas K. Grove 5/10/1892 9/12/1893
- Willis Timmerman 9/12/1893 1/10/1899
- *Carver D. King 1/10/1899 3/8/1900
Arlington’s first bank and public school opened and the
Interurban trolley was introduced and served to connect the
City with Dallas and Fort Worth. Our city’s population grew to
1,794.
back to top World War I broke out in 1910, and although
construction slowed because building materials were scarce,
growth continued. Commerce centered on the old mineral well.
Our population grew to 3,031 during the 1910s.
The City annexed 1,289 acres in the 1920s,
and with the Roaring Twenties, our population tripled.
Arlington’s first hospital opened its doors
near Center and Border Streets. Sadly, the Interurban,
Arlington’s first public transportation, ceased operation in
1934. During the 1940s, Arlington’s population grew to 7,692.
1950 was a banner decade. Our population
grew to 44,775. General Motors moved to town and historic Lake
Arlington filled in an incredible seven days. The Dallas-Fort
Worth Toll Road, which is now IH-30, opened in 1957.
The 60s saw the introduction of
professional baseball to our community. Turnpike Stadium
opened in 1965 with the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs hosting
America’s favorite pastime. Six Flags Over Texas opened, as
did the Forum Mall. The Texas Rangers opened the 1970s in an
expanded Arlington Stadium. DFW Airport opened, and growth in
our city escalated. The next twenty years would see our
population break the 300,000 barrier. The Ballpark in
Arlington opened in 1994 and hosted the 66th Annual
Major League All-Star Game in 1995.
* Indicates portrait has been installed in Hall of Mayors.
Of note: The Hall of Mayors currently displays a continuous
photographic history of mayors since 1889.
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